Get Black Panthers Community info center recognized as landmark in D.C.

The Black Panther Party for self defense transformed the system as we know it by leading the cultural and political awakening for black people.

After viewing the latest PBS documentary on the Black Panther Party, I wanted to find the traces of them left here in D.C.I Did my own research and spoke with my grandmother who was fresh out of high school around the time and involved in the moment. I discovered that the Community information center was located at 1932 17th st NW Washington D.C. This is where like many others, the panthers rallied, hosted the community,and slept. This is also where the Panthers fought off the police during an unexpected raid on July 4th. The raid resulted in the arrest of 20 panthers , the death of 1 panther, and the death of 1 officer.

I walk around the city all of the time seeing different buildings, murals, and memorials dedicated to groups of people who fought for and were willing to die for what they believed in for the greater good of their own . The government went out of their way with many attempts to wipe them out completely. So with that along with the scrutiny and injustice they faced daily, this residence should be immortalized in their memory. This not only an essential piece black history but D.C. History in itself. This is something that especially the new generation can be proud of and honestly they need to see. We need to do everything we can to preserve the presences of black culture in this city, whether it be from today or yesterday.

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Muriel : Get Black Panthers Community info center recognized as landmark in D.C.